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New to imperialism, the United States in its very first effort was up against a group of people it knew nothing about. Busy with the war in the northern islands, the U.S. initially adopted the Spanish stance toward the Moros, avoiding any actions that might inflame more insurrection. After Roosevelt declared the war over, though, American officers had to figure out some way to integrate the Moros into the colonial government. In 1903 policy makers created the Moro Province, comprising southern Mindanao and the Sulu islands. Given the perceived backwardness of the Moros, this province was set up differently from the others. Not only would the natives have less say in their own government, but in the interests of keeping order, all civil posts would be staffed by U.S. Army officers. Their job would be to train the Moros in civilization and democracy, preparing them to take part someday in the colonial government.
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The Americans, none of whom spoke any of the 13 Moro languages, did their best to make the Moros recognize the Commission's authority, usually by force. As Maj. Gen. Leonard Wood, the first governor of the Moro Province, said, "Firmness and the prompt application of discipline measures will maintain order, prevent loss of life and property and permit good government and prosperity among these people . . . lack of firmness will result in a carnival of crime and an absolute contempt for all authority in this region." [my em]
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Sound familiar? Unfortunately, the murderous General and I share a last name. Seems, regardless of how we think of ourselves, we have not matured very much over the past two centuries.
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